Sharad Pawar has through his political career been a man for all seasons.

He has probably weathered every kind of contingency in politics. And any kind of political foe.

You imagine there has been no situation in politics that he was not able to handle with his trademark implacable calm and customary resourcefulness that he is known for.

But when Pawar talks about India's present prime minister, Narendra Damodardas Modi, you sense a certain outrage, which it seems is unusual for Pawar.

In his interview to Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com the astute leader stresses the dangers to the State if a leader like Modi were to continue.

A few days before he had told The Hindu, 'I have not seen a person occupying the PMO campaigning in such a manner. I remember the speeches of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and others. They always maintained the sanctity and dignity of the institution. But this gentleman has no qualms about it and can go down to any level possible for political gains'.

'...I have realised the danger of Modi's continuation. I feel it is my duty to create new leadership to protect interests of the State.'

After that, Pawar told the Economic Times: 'However Modi acts as if most sections who don't subscribe to his views are enemies and have nothing to do with India. This is wrong. No PM has taken such an approach. I have heard Nehru's speeches when I was young. He never attacked anyone like this. Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee did not do it'.

'He is vindictive to rivals. He has been using the whole government machinery to attack the Opposition. This has never happened in Indian history. People understand this gentleman's vindictive nature.'

In the concluding part of his interview with Rediff.com, Pawar explains why he feels Hindu nationalism will not work for India, the youth's disillusionment with this government and what he considers development politics to be, which is not "Mr Modi's approach."

As you said, Modi came to power talking development, development. Now he is saying something else. As a critic, what do you think have been his achievements?

He could provide stability to the country for five years. As a prime minster.

But he could not provide a confidence to the countrymen that he is our leader.

Generally, people are thinking that he is a person who got respect from certain sections of society.

Not from the country as a whole.

When you meet him, one to one, what do you think of him?

We know each other for quite some time.

Ten years he was the chief minister.

I was the agriculture minister in the Government of India.

The agriculture minister, particularly this ministry, is such that he has no work except finalising policy in Delhi.

Real agriculture work is in the fields.

For the sake of that, we have to extend efforts with the states, irrespective of the party, If you have to improve agricultural production and the productivity of the crops you have to (liaise with) the farming community, agriculture universities, agricultural scientists and the respective state governments.

So I was keeping contact with everybody, that included Mr Modi also.

He cooperated with me, that time, to improve our programmes.

Like that we met on many occasions.

We went out of India also together.

I was the first to go to Israel with an official delegation and I thought I should also take some of the chief ministers.

So three or four chief ministers I have associated with. One of them was Mr Modi.

Is he a likable man?

Basically (pauses) I don't know. I think he is a loner.

Is he a hard man to read? One doesn't really get to know who he is?

I don't know. That was not my experience. I have known him for quite long.

You are sort of the Bhishma Pitah of politics. What do you predict for India ahead in this elections?

This time, I do feel the BJP will be out of power.

The non-BJP parties will come together and finalise a minimum common programme.

They will elect their leader and they will give stable government to the country.

IMAGE: Sonia Gandhi, then Congress president, with Sharad Pawar at an election rally in 2009 in Sakoli near Nagpur. Photograph: Arko Datta/Reuters

I asked your daughter Supriya Sule this question when I met her in Baramati, but she really didn't give me much of an answer. Let me ask you the question. What do leaders like your daughter have over leaders like Mr Modi?

We are continuously associated with the masses.

Secondly, we are active, we are effective. And people have seen that for many years.